The BSA's STEM Nova Awards program is designed to introduce and encourage further study of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts. Youth may earn all STEM Nova awards for their program. The Supernova awards are designed to inspire further study. It is recommended that you complete at least two STEM Nova awards before starting the requirements for the Supernova award.

Youth may complete any STEM Nova award with a parent or unit leader’s guidance. However, Supernova Awards mentors must be approved by the local council. (Note: Lion Cubs and Tiger Cubs are not eligible to participate in the STEM Nova Awards program.)

This module is designed to help you explore how technology affects your life each day. Tech Talk is part of the Technology category.

Tech Talk requirements

Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.

A. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to technology. Then do the following:

1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.

2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Some examples include—but are not limited to—shows found on PBS ("NOVA"), Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic Channel, TED Talks (online videos), and the History Channel. You may choose to watch a live performance or movie at a planetarium or science museum instead of watching a media production. You may watch online productions with your counselor's approval and under your parent's supervision.

B. Read (about one hour total) about anything related to technology. Then do the following:

1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.

2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Books on many topics may be found at your local library. Examples of magazines include but are not limited to Odyssey, KIDS DISCOVER, National Geographic Kids, Highlights, and OWL or owlkids.com .

C. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything related to technology. Then do the following:

1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.

2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Complete ONE adventure from the following list for your current rank or complete option A or B. (If you choose an Adventure, choose one you have not already earned.) Discuss with your counselor what kind of science, technology, engineering, and math was used in the adventure or option.

b. Make a list of ten devices that can be found in a home that use a computer chip to function.

c. Use a spreadsheet program to organize some information.

Option B: Complete all of the following:

a. Point out the major features of a camera to your den or family and explain the function of each part. Parts COULD include memory card, lens, shutter, power on and off, zoom, battery, flash, display panel, case, settings, etc.

b. Discuss with your leader or adult partner the benefits and contributions photography makes to modern life.

c. Use a camera to take at least 10 pictures of your family, pet, scenery; show these to your den.

Explore EACH of the following:

A. Look up a definition of the word technology and discuss the meaning with your counselor.

B. Find out how technology is used in EACH of the following fields:

1. Communication

2. Business

3. Construction

4. Sports

5. Entertainment

C. Discuss your findings with your counselor.

Visit a place where technology is being designed, used, or explained, such as one of the following: an amusement park, a police or fire station, a radio or television station, a newspaper office, a factory or store, or any other location where technology is being designed, used, or explained.

A. During your visit, talk to someone in charge about the following:

1. The technologies used where you are visiting

2. Why the organization is using these technologies

B. Discuss with your counselor the technology that is designed, used, or explained at the place you visited.

Discuss with your counselor how technology affects your everyday life.